Removing conditions and name change

[emzie1007 0]

Hi all,

My GC expires in November, so i am getting everything prepared and ready to send off. When i applied for my 2 year GC, i had immigration lawyers prepare everything for us. When i received my GC in the mail, it still had my maiden name on, even though i had told the lawyers i wanted it changed, and had done so on the form. They apologized etc....and said they would correct it when i remove conditions, but i have heard the process to remove conditions is very simple, and no lawyer is needed to help. It is going to cost us close to $2500 if we use a lawyer once legal fees are paid, so i would rather do it myself.

Does anyone know how i file the name change, and if i can send this along with the docs for my removal of conditions? I don't know if they would find it odd i am now changing my name, but i guess i may have to make a note in the paperwork explaining it got messed up last time.

[Ian H. 207]

Did you change your name when you married or through court? I assume that it was when you married. If so, you have to make sure that your marriage cert says that you are allowed to use your spouse's name.

The reason I say that is because some people think that their names automatically changed upon marriage. That wouldn't be the case if your marriage cert doesn't specify that. Here in NY, for example, people forget to check the little box that says, I would like to use a new name and their marriage cert wouldn't be valid to change the name and it would have to be done through court.

Once you verify that your marriage cert says you changed your name, all you need to do is send a copy of it with your petition to prove the name change.

When you fill out the application, in part 1, you would put your new name, not the one on your GC. Then in the part where it says, "other names used", you would put your maiden name and any other name you have been known by. The name change part is painless as long as you have an official document attesting to that, like the marriage cert.

Also it shouldn't matter that you didn't change your name when you applied for the GC. Sometimes people forget or don't want to change it right away, so that is no cause for concern. Hope this helps!

Edited July 29, 2014 by Ian H.

[emzie1007 0]

When we got married, i was still on my visa, so i was told i couldn't change my name legally to my husband's last name until i submitted my paperwork for a GC.

[DC85 113]

When we got married, i was still on my visa, so i was told i couldn't change my name legally to my husband's last name until i submitted my paperwork for a GC.

I don't think this is true. I would fill the ROC form with your married name and include a certified marriage certificate with a letter explaining your desire to change your name, hopefully they will accept it. otherwise, you can wait until you file for citizenship where you can change your name for free. Or, you can go to your local court and submit a petition to change your name. Here in Virginia, it's so easy to change the name, but each state has their own laws.

[akihon 129]

When we got married, i was still on my visa, so i was told i couldn't change my name legally to my husband's last name until i submitted my paperwork for a GC.

I strongly believe that is untrue. You could have applied for your GC with your married name, and listed your maiden name.

A legal name change, however, will have to happen with Social Security. This means you need to have your marriage certificate, and it has to say on it that you wanted a new last name. I don't know about other states, but I got married in Hawaii, and they ask at the license application to declare Bride's New Name and Groom's New Name.

[AnotherLostSoul 167]

If you just wait one more year for your citizenship you can change your name free of charge, and simply by filling out the form for citizenship. I don't know any other simpler way to change your name, but if it is super urgent and can't wait a year more, just hope someone will come up with the process and the price...